Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1887-06-12
B0lLERS.
TWO COMMUNICATION, ON THIS I'M
PoRTAHT SUBJECT.
"InsT ectors" Needed for Engineers" as
We'll as for BoilerG-Experts and
Experts
richmond, Va, June 10, 1897.
To the Editor Of the Dispdtch:


Dear Sir,-ln the Dispatch of
Sunday the 9Th instant appeared let.
ter from ian expert" who signs him
self a "member OF the American So
ciety Of Mechanical Engineers, &c,
On the ceuse Of so many "boiler ex-
plceions.
The writer lays the blame on the
cheap ard inferior materials used in the
construction of these boilers, but seems
10 have lost sight Of two very important
factors in exploslons-namely, the
cross carelessness and Ignorance OF the
men very often placed in charge OF
them. expert must know, or if he
does not. know he evidently has some
thing 10 learn, that where the condi-
lions that cause boilers to explode ex-
ist. they are far more destructive with
a good boiler than with boiler made
Of inferior and weak materials. He
must know, also. that a bad boiler is
comparatiyely safer in the hands Of
comuetcnt engineer than good one
would be- in the hands OF an incompe-
tent engineer.
4 great deal is said in bis letter about
the inspection of boilers, but | failed TO
see any suggestion for having the men
placed in charge of them inspected -
as to their qualifications for so impor-
tant n trust.
TIE ncst rigid and strict inspection
# the materials or workmanship II the
construction Of steam boilers will
amount to nothing 50 long as carcles,
and incompetent men are allowed 70
take charge Cf them. IN reference TO
",Xrort's" remarks about boilers
brought here from other PLACES Out
fits Lave been purchased moth OF rs
Just as good in material, design, and
workmanship as can be purchased any
where at from 300. $3.50. Gud 500
less than ouilts Of same quality and
caIaciiv are charged for here.
The question is often asked, How
can they 90 this. they paying rs n
general thing better wages to their me-
claniCe than are paid here? The an
swer Is simply: They don't propose to
make dividend on tie whole stock
Of an establishment tom the profits OF
one sale. They are satisfied with a
vuy small margin o. thc profit on
,iLalc sale. They calculate that the in
creased demand for illcir outfits will
Justify Their action. Some manuiactu-
ing establishments would require 70
DO big" business simply to enable
them TO pay TIE salaries alone Of the
many experts they employ.
4 word in regard 20 "eXperts.
lhercare experts and experts. Some
men will figure mp the horsepower OF
ID engine 10y the "alea and speed OF
piston. "boilcr pressure, ' &c, Ne.
IAN paraly2c Won with their knOwcdGe
81 " s;oam-enginc, Indicator. dla-
gums," The point Of cutoff, The
ilca of cCmlIc-sion, " &C, de-, &c.
Ina, wlo in reality know no more about
O. steau-ercine or boiler than a " mule
COOS of astronomy" The "pre5s W
throughout the country should take ~
nd nGvocate strong legislative action
IN reference to collective engineers
as well as defective boilers
J. II. B. HARRISON.
.NofC.-Any school.boy who can fig
me can be taught in a very short time
10 calculate tie horsepower OF an en-
piuc or boiler, read indicator, dia-
grams. &c. yet on the strength OF this
qualification alone many "bllther-
sl.t,s' pose as "engine experts.